Each of the three services studied are organized differently in Manitoba:

1. Childhood Immunizations - provided through a longstanding provincial program. The Manitoba Immunization Monitoring System records all immunizations of provincial registrants (as of Jan 1, 1980) and provides monitoring and reminders to families.

2. Screening Mammography - provided through a newly established (1996) provincial program: Manitoba Breast Screening Program. The Program contacts women directly for screening, rescreening, and sends out reminder notices if necessary.

3. Cervical Cancer Screening – there is no provincial program; services are provided by physicians, approved laboratories, and in the North (independently) by nurses.

These services were compared on their overall population coverage, and the difference in access by residents of the wealthiest (Q5) versus poorest (Q1) income quintiles in 1990 and 1996. The income quintile difference is represented by the Q1/Q5 ratio.